Best Studio DVC for 2 older adults

[pooh2001]

We are in our 60's and very mobile
DH walks with 10 pound weights (attorney)
DW is outside with kids 4 hours a day at work (teacher)
We like MK and EPCOT
Would do AK and DHS for 1 day each
Willing to pay for a taxi in the morning to MK (to CR parking lot entrance))
and EPCOT, even DHS, if we stay at AKL

Per Davids - current prices for September 2021
Jambo standard studio $160 - only 18 rooms
BW villa standard studio $220 - maybe 30 of them ? (unsure)
BC studio $320 - maybe 30 to 50 rooms
Bay Lake studio $320 - not sure how many
Bounder Ridge studio $320 - not sure how many

What we like is the mini-refrigerator and microwave
One Bed - Queen
At least 2 drawers or more to put clothes in
large TV
1 or 2 sinks are fine
Clean updated room

 

[paults]

My choice would be BWV, BCV, BRV BLT
BWV boardwalk view should be the same price as BCV studio. BWV standard is cheaper.
Both are close to Epcot ( which you like) and lots of places to eat.

 

[Marionnette]

We are in our 60's and very mobile
DH walks with 10 pound weights (attorney)
DW is outside with kids 4 hours a day at work (teacher)
We like MK and EPCOT
Would do AK and DHS for 1 day each
Willing to pay for a taxi in the morning to MK (to CR parking lot entrance))
and EPCOT, even DHS, if we stay at AKL

Per Davids - current prices for September 2021
Jambo standard studio $160 - only 18 rooms
BW villa standard studio $220 - maybe 30 of them ? (unsure)
BC studio $320 - maybe 30 to 50 rooms
Bay Lake studio $320 - not sure how many
Bounder Ridge studio $320 - not sure how many

What we like is the mini-refrigerator and microwave
One Bed - Queen
At least 2 drawers or more to put clothes in
large TV
1 or 2 sinks are fine
Clean updated room

Are you considering renting for Sept 2021? I don't think you will find much available in studios other than random nights here and there at a few resorts.

 

[RoseGold]

It's way too late to rent for Sept 2021. DVC books months ahead of time, with a 7 or 11 month priority schedule.

Might I recommend looking into Poly for the next trip. There's a lovely boat to MK, the huge boat to the TTC parking lot next door, or a long walk if you want to go super early or transit is just not working out. You're right on the monorail transit to Epcot. Just monorail home late at night. The ambiance at Poly is lovely. It's one of my favorite places in the world. And there's so many studios at Poly (and a relatively high point cost) it is bookable at even 7 months or even a lot less if you're not super-peak times.

For BW, standard is unlikely to be available, you'll be stuck with pool, if it's available at all. Same with BLT. I would price out lake view.

Boulder Ridge has only boat to MK and bus to Epcot. Not ideal for your plan. AKL is bus to everywhere. Depends on how much you want to be on that savanna and how much you trust Disney buses.

 

[The Jackal]

Those numbers are way off I looked at BWV and it’s not even close. Do not trust David’s program for September 2021.

 

[Best Aunt]

Willing to pay for a taxi in the morning to MK (to CR parking lot entrance))

People have posted that the guard at the Contemporary Resort gate turns away people arriving by Uber, Lyft, or automobile unless the people have ADRs for a restaurant within the Contemporary. I assume it's the same for taxi. Too many people were trying to get dropped off there so that they could walk to MK. For awhile, people got around this by placing a mobile order at the Contemporary's quick service restaurant; Disney plugged that loophole by restricting mobile ordering at that restaurant to people staying at that hotel.

My personal preference is always BCV or BWV. I like being able to walk to the other hotels as well as to Epcot. (I usually take the boat to DHS.) I dislike the Wilderness Lodge property (including Boulder Ridge) because you can't walk anywhere from there. If you don't have a car, it's a pain to get to other hotels and you will be taking a bus to 3 of the parks. You can take a boat to MK but it's slower than the bus and doesn't arrive as frequently.

But the drawer situation in BCV studios is not great. The dresser was replaced with a pull-down bed. There are little drawers but not regular-size drawers. I have not stayed in a BWV studio in years, so I can't share personal experience of those rooms. I've been in 1-bedrooms.

 

[DeeBee3]

I have no idea about the prices previous posters have mentioned, but Boulder Ridge has not yet be refurbished and is scheduled for this in 2022. I would not stay there if you want updated room. (and I LOVE Wilderness Lodge)

The Boardwalk area is highly enjoyable for walkable access to both Epcot and HS, but also has the Boardwalk area/eats/shop/etc to venture into when you aren't in the parks.

Just stayed in BW Garden view in August - we didn't find the bus to MK bad at all. However, crowds were waning at that part of August. I'm sure this September would also be less crowded than other times.

Otherwise, I voted for Contemporary because of it's walking access to MK and monorails to other resorts as well as Epcot. I will say I did a split stay between BW and AKL and we LOVED the AKL, but it was a jaunt on that bus to MK - Didn't have to wait for it, but it's a solid 18ish minutes on bus.

 

[iloveeeyore]

May I ask why the Poly is not under consideration?

The Poly has the best/largest studios, and they are under refurb right now, so are brand new. The Poly is the only resort with direct access to BOTH the MK and Epcot (monorail from TTC to Epcot is easily walkable from the DVC studios at the Poly). It's great for adults with its romantic atmosphere (tiki torches, polynesian music, fireworks and water pageant from the beach). My family of adults loves the restaurants and lounges at the Poly and you can easily take the monorail to the GF and Contemporary for shopping and/or dining. Any of the choices you list are wonderful, too. You really can't go wrong!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

May I ask why the Poly is not under consideration?

The Poly has the best/largest studios, and they are under refurb right now, so are brand new. The Poly is the only resort with direct access to BOTH the MK and Epcot (monorail from TTC to Epcot is easily walkable from the DVC studios at the Poly). It's great for adults with its romantic atmosphere (tiki torches, polynesian music, fireworks and water pageant from the beach). My family of adults loves the restaurants and lounges at the Poly and you can easily take the monorail to the GF and Contemporary for shopping and/or dining. Any of the choices you list are wonderful, too. You really can't go wrong!

Based on the list, they are either looking at Standard units, or 2042 resorts with their 2042 resort point charts. Nothing new and more costly, like Poly, VGF or RIV. Kinda surprised CCV isn't on there given the point chart match to BRV.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am 71 and Bill is 68. The only studio we ever consider it OKW because it has two real queen beds (no sleeper sofa).

 

[pooh2001]

We will go in a few years
Maybe rent though Davids
We will be close to 66 and 68 and I assume still mobile
We are in good shape now - people in work think I am in my 50's not 63

After COVID is completely done - 3 years from now - but will book with Davids 1 year before we go to get the studio we want
Dates in late April to early May or early November

We will consider the Poly
We do not mind a log bus to MK
When we stayed at the Dolphin, the bus stopped at the BC/YC before going to MK - a 20 minute ride